Sewage stench intolerable for Mbango businesses, residents
This river has been under threat for many years.
Businesses, residents, motorists and pedestrians have been severely affected by the pollution that flows into the Mbango River and into the ocean at Oslo Beach.
The strong smell of sewage has become a daily occurrence and cries for help, and a permanent solution to this on-going problem has fallen on deaf ears, by none other than Ugu District Municipality.
Beneath the air fresheners, sanitisers and deodorants used by residents and business owners, the sickening stench of sewage still lingers, and it has been a problem for the last 10 years or longer. The Herald was called out to Mbango on Tuesday this week, as the stench became intolerable and people needed help.
“It’s a disaster and we are not receiving any help at all. Why must we suffer every year. The smell is in our clothes and in our houses. Why can’t Ugu get this problem fixed once and for all ?” asked one home owner.
On the business side of things it’s sad, said Jan Breytenbach of Powerflow whose business has been affected the most. He explained how one customer threw up on Tuesday this week. “It was a taxi owner and he explained he can’t take the stench and left. He was just one of many. What must we do to keep our doors open. This is no fault of ours,” explained Breytenbach.
Another business owner said, “All we want is for Ugu to do what they were meant to do. If I had to put raw sewage into the river, I will be fined. Why is this not happening to Ugu?” asked the businessman.
Morgan Naidoo of the Umbango River Conservancy said raw sewage flowing into the Mbango River is an absolute shame. “This matter is being repeatedly addressed by the conservancy. This complaint has been escalated to the Department of Water and Sanitation. Ugu needs to take account of its inefficiency. This river is dying, tourism is dying, water supply is now a luxury. Ugu get your act together.”
Ward councillor Doug Rawlins said he emailed Ugu Health Department and has not received a response as yet. “The pump station at the Borough Fields is permanently broken and has been reported numerous times, and nothing is being done. The Mbango Water Treatment Plant flushes raw sewage into the Mbango River and about eight years ago I opened a criminal case against Ugu. No prosecution took place.”
There might be some light for South Coasters with regards to taking Ugu to court. The Lydenburg Court found Thaba Chweu Local Municipality in Mpumalanga guilty of unlawful water use and disposal of raw sewage as well as polluting the environment recently. The municipality was found guilty of seven charges in terms of the National Environmental Management Act after residents complained about pollution for more than a decade.
The court penalised the municipality R10-m, of which half was suspended for five years, on the condition that it is not convicted of a similar offence during the period of suspension, meaning the municipality received an effective fine of R5-m.
Ugu District Municipality acknowledged the Herald’s query and that it be allowed a 48-hour turnaround time for all media enquiries as the questions are extensive and require proper investigation.
The Department of Water and Sanitation also acknowledged the Herald’s questions but no response was received.
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